Monthly Archives: November 2013

Harvest a wild, open-grown balsam at Great Pond Mountain Wildlands in Orland, noon-3 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 1 and 8, and while you’re there, hitch a hayride and visit the bonfire with hot cocoa and cookies. The first tree will cost $25, and additional trees or greens for the same family will be $10. Cutting help […]

When the first substantial snow of the year covered our yard Tuesday morning, my dog Oreo was stuck indoors. I was at work, and by the time I returned home for lunch, the thin layer of snow had melted away on all but a few choice surfaces — the raised bed, the base of the […]

Difficulty: Moderate. The 3.4-mile loop travels over Whitten Hill, which rises just 865 feet above sea level. Exposed tree roots and loose rocks make for tricky footing in some areas. How to get there: The Northern Headwaters Trail is most easily accessed from the Whitten Hill Trailhead. To get there, start at McFarland’s Corner, the […]

In his own way, Carey Kish won the “Where in the Woods Am I?” game for Northern Headwaters Trail in Montville in November 2013 given these verbal clues and the following gallery of photos: It was cold, blustery day on Saturday, when Derek and I hit the trails with our dog Oreo. But in the forest, the […]

Holidays are just around the corner. For me, that means lots of food and lots of people — friends, family, sometimes strangers, sometimes people I think are strangers but are really just family I met a long time ago. Let’s stick with food … It means gravy and blueberry pie and sweet potato covered with […]

The Maine Wildlife Park is a special place. I’ve come to that conclusion from the few times I’ve visited. Being a reporter for the BDN, I’ve been lucky enough to be led on a few backstage tours of the park, guided by veteran park volunteers and staff. On my most recent visit to the park, […]

Difficulty: Moderate. The loop hike that leads to both Partridge and Ducktail ponds is approximately 3.5 miles long and includes a 0.8-mile stretch of gravel road spanning between two trailheads. The trails are fairly wide and well-marked with blue blazes, but there is a noticeable change in elevation. Rocky terrain adds to the challenge. How […]

In his own way, Carey Kish won the “Where in the Woods Am I?” game for Partridge Pond in Amherst in November 2013 given these verbal clues and the following gallery of photos: When it comes to hiking, my selection process is a bit of a mystery, even to my self. Sometimes I feel like climbing a […]

Upon adopting my dog Oreo six months ago, I knew a few basic facts: Oreo needed a bed, dog food, water, leash, collar and a place to do his business. As a first-time dog owner, I had a lot to learn, and I knew it. I had a few simple goals to guide me: I […]

You know what’s a cool gift? A living, breathing whale. A 40-ton mammal that roams the oceans, eating krill and singing eerie serenades. This holiday season, you can “adopt” a humpback or fin whale through the Adopt-A-Whale program. It’s $30 for a single whale and $40 for a mother and calf pair. These aren’t just […]